Trade In (Odd Jobs Book 3) Page 6

  “After your showdown at Noble we went in to see you today and found out you got suspended. We wanted to make sure things were alright,” Wyatt said over his shoulder as he headed to the bar, presumably to get us a pool table.

  “That and the girls got tanked the other day with Rachael. Pretty sure they are up to something.” Cole finds and empty table near the back as Wyatt returns with a tray of balls. I grab a stick off the wall, “No need to stress. I will not slit my wrists or anything. Just need to deal with the fact that the girl of my dreams has moved on with her life.” Wyatt racks the balls, I set up to break. “I always knew she was too good for me.”

  “If there is one thing I know in this entire situation, those two aren’t together.” Cole responds as he moves around to take a shot, sinking the solid purple ball into the corner right pocket. “I guess that makes me solids.”

  “Please explain how those two weren’t together?” I grip the pool que tightly in my hand. “You saw the way he had his hands all over her or how they damn near had sex in the middle of Noble.”

  “They both looked awkward as hell during that kiss and besides even if they aren’t together now, they may be eventually if you don’t man the fuck up and go get your girl.”

  “I’ll kidnap her if I have too. She isn’t marrying him, because the only man she’ll ever be with is me.”

  “You have a funny way of showing someone you love them.” Wyatt calmly states cutting to the heart of the matter. “There’s no way she could understand why you left her, Liam. You need to explain it to her.”

  “How do you explain to someone you are the reason her brother is dead.” I throw the pool stick down on the table. These two don’t understand the pain I feel every day being that bastard that killed her brother and best friend.

  “Accidents happen. We all know this, but did you even give her the chance to understand what happened.” Wyatt places a hand on my shoulder.

  “Don’t be a pussy. Rachael is being… well a woman. We all know how hardheaded and stubborn they can be. She just needs a push in one direction or the other.” Cole grabs my que and hands it back to me.

  “Besides you know the guy she was with is gay right?” Wyatt chuckles.

  “What in the fuck?” I shout not caring that everyone in the pool hall is now drawn into our conversation.

  “The guy, Paul, is one of Heather’s co-workers. Him and the other guy Michael are married. She played you man.”

  I stand there speechless for a moment but then think back to the confrontation in Noble. I gave no one a chance to explain what was going on, I just reacted.

  “You couldn’t have led with that bit of information asshole?” I lean over the table to continue our game, sinking the stripped black into the center left pocket.

  “No, Heather made me promise to make you sweat for it.”

  “What happened to dicks before chicks?” I ask.

  “It was never a thing. I rather enjoy sleeping in my own bed.” I look over at Cole for some help but get nothing.

  “Don’t act surprised, you are just as whipped as we are. The only difference between us is that YOU don’t have your girl yet.” Cole comes to his buddy’s defense.

  I can’t fault him on that one. “Now who will give me her number?” No, I’m not a stalker — not really. However, I’m ready to claim what’s mine before someone else does.”

  14

  Rachael

  “Why did I promise to go shopping with the four of you again?” I drop onto my couch.

  “Because you thought it would be easier to go shopping than to decide if you wanted to give Liam another chance,” Paul chirps as he walks past me toward the kitchen.

  After drinking entirely too many Margaritas last night, Heather and Addison headed home with promises of seeing us bright and early this morning. I didn’t believe them. However, I was wrong. At eight am those two came knocking on Paul and Michael’s door dressed to the nines and ready to shop. Since I drank too much the night before, I crashed in their guest room.

  We started with pedicures, I tried to remind them we just had them a few days ago but my protest went unnoticed. Then we hit just about every store imaginable.

  “That’s right. Now my feet hurt and I’m not closer to an answer.” The shrill ring of my phone startles me. Giving the boys a sympathetic look, I hit the green button to answer the call.

  “Mo, what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Holy shitake mushrooms! Rach, you need to come and help me. I don’t know what to do. He- He- He- Crap. He—” My friend’s brain has short circuited and isn’t making any sense.

  “Take a deep breath and explain why the hell you’re freaking out.” Mo is usually the picture of calm, the fact she can barely form a complete thought is scaring me. After taking a few deep breaths, Mo comes back on the line.

  “He kissed me. Rach, it was amazing. But he’s my boss and perfect, and I’m me.” Morgan’s voice goes up in octave as she reaches the end of her sentence.

  “Morgan don’t panic. It was just a kiss, nothing to worry about. Just be you. You’re awesome,” I say with confidence, not that I know much about this boss other than he is sex on a stick, her words, not mine, and he is rich as hell. Morgan and I haven’t had a chance to speak between her work schedule and me freaking out about Liam.

  “Yes, I’m awesome. I’ll bake him some cookies, because men love cookies.”

  “Yes, they do. Now can we focus on me for two minutes?” I ask. Paul and Michael are here for me, but nothing beats the advice of my best friend. She has been there from the beginning, through the tears and the smiles. If anyone would know what I should do, it would be Morgan.

  “What’s up cupcake? Liam bend you over some motorcycles again?”

  “No, thank God. Make a long story short, he may have gotten the wrong idea about me.”

  “The wrong idea how?”

  “Liam and Paul got into a fist fight over me in the middle of Noble. Lamb declared he wouldn’t give me up.”

  There is a long pause, and I swear I can hear the wheels turning in her head before lightning strikes and she howls in laughter. “Only you Rach would end up in this situation.” She howls in laughter, “This is an interesting turn of events. Guess the boy does still have feelings for you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I respond defensively

  “Don’t get your panties in a twist. Think about it, this is a little funny. Only you would end up with a gay boyfriend to make the man you’re madly in love with jealous.”

  “I’m not trying to make him jealous,” I grumble

  “That’s besides that point. So, what’s the plan now? Do the boys have any bright ideas? Have you talked to Addison and Heather about it yet? I’m sure they can get some intel from Cole and Wyatt for you.” Morgan rattles off her questions at lightning speed.

  “Slow down, Mo. Yes, we have all talked about it. I have no idea what to do but everyone says I should give him another chance or at least a chance to explain what went down after Jeremiah died.”

  “I agree with them. Before you freak out you need to know why he just left without a word, but more importantly we both know that was out of character for Liam. There had to be a reason for it.”

  “I know, Mo. How am I going to survive getting my heart broken again?”

  “Unfortunately I don’t have the answer for you, I wish I did. You need this. This is your chance Rach and it’s not a chance everyone gets.”

  I take a deep breath, “I think about it, that’s all I can give you right now. You’re the best. Thanks!”

  “Duh, I knew that already. I gotta go anyway. I want to hit the store so I can make Theo his favorite cookies before tomorrow.”

  I shake my head before responding, “Whatever works for you, sweetie. Peace out!”

  I hang up and smile at my two of my favorite men, “What now?”

  “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” Paul shouts.

  “Beer Pong,” Michael says.


  “Beer Pong, Michael? How the hell is that going to help anything?” I laugh.

  “Each side is a choice, whoever wins that’s what we do? I don’t know! I was just trying to come up with a suggestion.” Michael flops down on the couch next to me.

  I lean over and place a kiss on his cheek, “Thank you, but this is a decision I need to make myself.”

  As soon as I finish my sentence, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I notice an unfamiliar number on the screen.

  Unknown: Meet me at Noble Friday night at 7 pm

  Me: Who is this?

  Unknown: Lamb. Roo we need to talk about what happened. Please?

  I gasp as the phone falls into my lap.

  “What! Is everything okay?” Michael immediately reaches for my phone and reads the message. He looks at me before turning toward Paul and showing him the message. Without a second thought, Paul takes my phone and types a message back before handing me back my phone.

  “What the fuck, Paul!”

  “What! You would have sat here for hours trying to decide if you were even going to message him back. I did what needed to be done. Now you don’t have a choice.”

  I unlock my phone and read the return message Paul sent.

  Me: I agree we need to talk. See you then.

  “Fuck!” I shout as I throw my phone across the room, luckily it lands on the other couch. “What the hell am I going to do?” Tears begin to pool in my eyes.

  Michael steps in front of me, caging my face between his hands. “You will get your shit together, dress to the nines, and make that man understand why it was a mistake to leave you three years ago.”

  I open my mouth to respond, but he covers my mouth with one of his fingers. “No excuses. You can do this. You need to do this. You got this, and if not, Paul and I have the perfect location to hide the body. Okay?”

  I take a deep breath before nodding my head ‘yes.’ Paul wraps his arms around both of us in a bear hug, “Now lead us to that closet of yours, we need to make sure you look fierce and ready for battle when you see Liam on Friday.”

  “Lead the way,” Michael chimes in as he releases my face.

  I let out a watery laugh as I pull myself out of their grip, turning to head up the stairs. Out of everything that has happened between Liam and I, it’s only natural I’d be afraid of laying it all on the line again. The million-dollar question is, will I survive?

  15

  Liam

  I take a sip of my beer and wait for Rachael to arrive. I took Cole and Wyatt’s advice and took the first step in contacting Rachael. Surprisingly she agreed to meet me tonight, but her response gave nothing away.

  I scan the restaurant for her knights in shining armor, Paul and Michael, but there’s no sign of them. I wouldn’t blame Rachael for wanting to have some back up here with her tonight. I upped and left her with no explanation. I turned tail and ran, but I had no other choice. If I’d come clean and told Rachael what I had done, she would have left me anyway.

  This way at least some of the good times we had together remained intact. That’s not the truth, I took the cowardly way out and wrote her a letter, hoping to keep my heart whole and in one piece, but made both of us miserable.

  I remember a time when I was left waiting for Rachael to arrive, or better yet let me in. Our first date was like the start of a romantic comedy movie, but not in a good way.

  “Fuck, I’m so late,” I grumble under my breath as I pull to a stop in front of Rachael’s house. Everything that could have gone wrong today had.

  Lacrosse practice ran late because the coach made us run suicide drills, I dropped my phone in the toilet before showering, and I had to get gas before heading over here. I’m over an hour late for my first date with the girl of my dreams.

  “Man up, the worst that could happen is she never wants to see you again.” My stomach drops as I cut off the ignition and get out of the car.

  I hold my head high as I walk toward are the front door, and before I even knock, the door flies open, and I come face-to-face with a Goliath of a man.

  “Are you the asshat who was supposed to take my sister out tonight but flaked?” he asks.

  Shit, I’m a dead man. Most guys would go with the truth but being a smart ass at heart I attempted to be funny.

  “Nope, I’m the guy she called because she got stood up by that jerk,” I stupidly give him a light punch in the shoulder before chuckling. It takes me a few minutes to realize that he is not laughing.

  “Making my baby sister cry isn’t something to joke about.” Goliath takes a step out the door, closing it behind him.

  Again, not one to back down I take a step back and wait to accept my beating. “I never intended to make Rachael cry. Lacrosse practice ran late, I dropped my phone in the toilet, and I had to get gas before coming over here. Not to mention I have a problem with being on time. My mother said I was born almost two weeks late because I was taking my sweet time.”

  Goliath seems to fight a smile. “You think you’re so smart, let’s make a fool of the nerdy girl from the other side of the tracks. All you rich kids are the same,” he spits in my face.

  Some people in Shawnee, my parents included, look down on people who don’t come from money, but I’m not like that. “Rachael is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. The moment she smiled at me I knew if I ever had the chance to get to know her, I’d grab it with both hands.” I take a step closer to him, standing about three inches from him. “Beat me up, I get it, you’re her big brother, but that won’t stop me from coming. I messed up, and I’ll make it up to her when she’s willing to give me another chance.” I refuse to back down, waiting for him to throw the first punch, but it never comes.

  “I’m Jeremiah. If you ever make her cry again by being stupid, I’ll kick your ass twice as badly. Consider this beating an IOU,” he says as he holds his hand out toward me.

  I grab it and gave him a firm shake.

  I worked every day until the day of Jeremiah’s death to ensure never to make her cry again. Unfortunately, I broke that promise to them both. “I’m sorry, Jeremiah,” I whisper to no one as something caught my eye near the front door.

  Turning in that direction I see Rachael stroll into the bar, she looks just like the girl I fell in love with all those years ago. Her long brown hair is cascading down her back and framing her face. Her long, gorgeous legs look as if they were painted into her black leather pants. She has on red, patent leather heels that catch the reflection of the lights in the room as she comes closer. To finish the ensemble she is wearing a fitted Led Zeppelin T-shirt with a black leather moto jacket.

  She is every biker’s wet dream. I growl watching the guys’ heads turn as she walks by. Unable to wait any longer, I shove back from the table I’m sitting at and head in her direction.

  “You’re nothing but trouble,” I say, wrapping my arms around her waist and bring her close to my chest. Rachael puts her hand on my chest, stopping me from pulling her flush to my body.

  “I wanted to look good, is that a crime?” She smiles before unraveling herself from my grasp. I take a step back and motion her toward the table I vacated.

  “So, what is it you wanted to talk about?” She queries while I pull out her chair so she can have a seat.

  “It’s good to know you haven’t lost your manners in all these years. Although you forgot how to use a phone,” she snipes back as she takes a seat.

  “I came to make a proposal. I want to be something, well anything at all if you will let me. Your friend, is a great place to start but it would be a lie to say I wouldn’t want something more.” I don’t wait for her to respond before leaning down to kiss her. She fights me the entire time, not relenting. She bites my lip, I pull back fearing that I misread the signals all wrong.

  Rachael wipes her mouth with the back of her hand, “If you touch me again without my permission, you will talk an octave higher for the rest of your life.” I can’t help but smir
k at her, before walking toward the other side of the table and having a seat.

  “My apologies, Roo. Sometimes I get ahead of myself, although you weren’t complaining the other night in the shop.”

  “A momentary lapse in judgement I assure you.”

  “What did you say?” I ask again before taking another sip of my beer.

  “I say you’ve lost your fucking mind if you think it would be that easy to get into my good graces,” she snarls.

  No, this isn’t how tonight is supposed to go. “Wait a minute, just like that? You will give up and walk away?” I ask motioning for the waitress to bring over another beer. When she approaches, I order another round, as I get ready to order Rachael a soda, she cuts me off. “I’ll have two shots of tequila and bring a bowl of limes please.”

  “Hmm, Roo is all grown up now,” I smirk. It seems there are a lot of things about Rachael I’ve missed in the last few years.

  “A lot has changed, Liam. Mainly my brother being dead, and my heart being shattered by someone who promised to keep it safe.” She looks me straight in the eyes before she continues, “Give me one good reason why I should take a chance on your sorry ass again. I have a life here, people who care about me. I don’t know if I can handle that type of pain again.”

  Her voice breaks toward the end of her sentence. The pain I had fought to keep her from still found her, and it was my fault. I fought so hard to keep the pain away, but still, it found her.

  “Roo, I left because I was trying to protect you from the pain that comes from being with someone like me, especially with everything that was going on then. I found out about your brother and panicked. I figured you had enough going on that you didn’t need to deal with my family drama on top of that.”

  I’m lying through my teeth, but now is not the time to tell her the truth. She needs to learn to love me again before she learns the truth. I reach across the table and grip her hands. “I never meant to hurt you. These past three years have been nothing short of torture staying away from you. I don’t speak to my family anymore, I never go to Shawnee, everything I am today was to become the man you always wanted me to be,” I tell her, but the truth would tear us apart for good.